Pretty and a Giveaway

I love to read and I've finally reached a point where I can carve out tiny niches of time to actually do so again! When the folks at Global Influence asked if I'd like to read and review Jillian Lauren's debut novel titled Pretty, I jumped at the chance.

I'm not sure that Pretty is a title I would consider for a book that is anything but... It's the saga of Bebe Baker, a former stripper, former drug addict, former many things. A car accident has killed her boyfriend, leaving her scarred and adrift. We meet her while she is serving time in a halfway house and ticking down the hours to finish cosmetology school. I usually need a hook of some kind to get me interested in a book - compelling characters, compelling storytelling. The favorite books that stay with me have a character or characters that I can identify with, empathize with, feel for... and I found myself struggling to find that link with Bebe. She's lived and is living a hard and harsh existence. If she were a friend I'd want to shake her for some of the choices she's made!

And yet... her plain-spoken, in your face story began to draw me in. Bebe is surrounded by some fascinating characters. I wanted to see where their story would lead. This is a book that I might not have picked up on my own, but I am glad that I got a chance to read.

Win a copy!
I have the chance to give away a copy to one lucky reader. To enter: Tweet or Facebook post about this giveaway, including a link to the book Pretty. Example: Check out @jillylauren's new book, Pretty - http://amzn.to/prettybook

All entries should include the hashtag #PRETTYBOOK. Please leave a comment on this post with a link to your tweet or FB post. You may enter daily. Giveaway closes on 9/15/11.

Can't wait to read the book? The first 250 people to order Pretty on 9/7 from Amazon who email the receipt to pretty.the.book@gmail.com will receive a Limited Edition run of the "Pretty" necklace made by FairyTale Jewels.com.

******************************
I received a copy of this book for the purposes of reviewing and hosting a giveaway. All opinions are my own.

Join the Little Miracle Mission

Have you seen the commercials? The Pampers "Every Little Miracle" commercial never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

In 2005 I was a busy executive secretary. A Type-A personality and planner to the max, my hard work and attention to detail helped multiple division presidents of a b2b publishing company get the job done. And in the summer of 2005 all my research and ability to plan and be in control went out the window with the birth of my first son. While I loved (and love!) him dearly my world went upside down in an instant in ways none of the books could have prepared me for. I left the job that had consumed my time for 9.5 years of my life, and so very many of the day to day relationships that I had had went with it. Sleepless nights, feedings, teething... anyone who is a parent is familiar with what my routine became. And despite my beautiful baby boy and loving family I was feeling lost. And I struggled. I was so very lucky that someone pointed me in the direction of the local family network. There I found playgroups and activities that forced my tired self out of the house. And I found advice, a shoulder to lean on and friends that are still around to this day.

Why do I digress with my little story? Pampers has generously provided me with a $50 gift card as part of their Little Miracle Mission. It's a chance to pay it forward, and I have chosen to donate it to my area family network that provided me with so much support during my early days of motherhood. They have changed much in the last 5 - 6 years, in part due to the budget struggles that so many of these organizations have faced. (And I've changed myself, adding another son to my growing family!)

Join the Mission!
I have been offered a gift card for one of my lucky readers to give away as well. Simply reply to this post and let me know how you would pay it forward, should you win the $50 gift card.

This is going to be a fast one, as the deadline is set for Noon EST on Wednesday, May 25th. Reply ASAP.

Everyone can easily participate in a small way by "liking" Pampers Facebook page (facebook.com/pampers) and then going to the Miracle Missions tab and committing to Mission 1 by clicking "I want to pledge". You are automatically entered to win a years supply of diapers and wipes, which could help you or someone you know in a big way.

Hope to hear from you all soon!

Spring?

Hey Everyone! Been away from this blogging thing for too long. Spring seems to finally be here, and I'm taking a deep, refreshing breath.

We held our last giveaway, and I notified the winner. And it occurs to me that I needed to announce it here, and never did. Apologies and much-belated congratulations to Shelley!

Wising you all a fun, sun-filled day!

A Cook I Am Not, But...

I think it was my brother who (half) jokingly asked if H knew what he was getting into when he proposed. I love good food, and I love to eat. I even skim the cooking shows and recipes and cookbooks from time to time. My patience for the whole process of meal preparation, though, is not very great.

Not long ago MyBlogSpark and Old El Paso reintroduced me to an old and easy favorite of mine. taco night! I remember loving the "taco bar" in college. We love tacos, and I plan to get Mexican fare back into my rotation of easy-peasy menu items. The Old El Paso lineup of products includes chiles, dinner kits, dips and sides, enchilada sauce, refried beans, seasoning mixes, shells, taco sauce and salsa. There are endless recipe variations you can play with, like easy fish tacos. Everyone can decorate their meal with fixin's to their liking.

Win a Prize Pack like mine! Old El Paso and MyBlogSpark were gracious enough to send me a prize package that includes a packet of Old El Paso taco seasoning, a Cactus Chip & Dip serving dish, a set of three Fiesta Chili Pepper serving dishes and a $10 gift card to purchase your taco fixings.

To enter: Leave a comment and tell me about your favorite Mexican fare. Or how you plan to make taco night special. Which night of the week will it be?

Bonus entry: Follow this blog, and leave a comment telling me that you do, or have done so.

Deadline: This will be a quick one. Winner to be picked on Monday, January 31st at Noon EST.

A Winner, and oh those best laid plans...

Somehow I knew that as soon as I started up the reviews and giveaways portion of my blogging again, that would be my baby's cue to make his arrival a little bit early.

Congratulations to Hannah C, who won the copy of Heroes for My Son.

We are home from the hospital, and adjusting to our new family life as a foursome. More fun stuff to come, as baby Ethan's schedule permits!

heroes for my son - a book giveaway

Who are your heroes? Who do Americans consider to be their real heroes? Author Brad Meltzer began pondering this question with the birth of his first son, and the telling of these stories has resulted in his first nonfiction book.

Fifty-two men and women, both familiar and unknown, are illustrated through black and white pictures and a page of narrative distilling their heroic story. From politicians to performers, activists to athletes to ordinary citizens - these are inspiring snippits. Roberto Clemente and Jackie Robinson are side by side with Jonas Salk and Jim Henson. Personal heroes such as Teri Meltzer (Brad's Mom) join Clara Hale, Anne Sullivan and Harper Lee. The list goes on...

As a Mom to one active little boy, and with another on the way any time now, I found much to think about in this little book. And it is certainly appropriate for girls as well as boys!

Win It!
I have an additional hardcover copy of this book for one lucky winner. To enter:

Main entry - Mention in the comments section why you would like to win a copy of this book. I'd be interested in hearing about one of your heroes too...

Extra entries - each of these counts as an extra entry, but you must leave a comment for each one.

- Subscribe to Relishing the Dirt.

- Follow us on Twitter under @Smittens05.

- Tweet about this giveaway.

- Grab our button for your sidebar.

- Mention this giveaway on your blog, with a link back here and to Heroes for My Son.

Deadline is Midnight EST on July 12th. Winner will be chosen by random.org, and will be contacted via email. Contest is open to US residents.

This post was written for Harper Books, who provided the item for review and giveaway. I was not compensated in any way except for the complimentary product.

Where in the world have I been?

It was so not my intention to have this part of my blogging life be on such a hiatus. But then, well... there was this. And this. And on to this. And finally we're in the home stretch of this whole pregnancy thing, but ugh.

And even though I feel kinda horrible, there are actually a few giveaways lining up in the near future. I will be certainly following the rules that I set down in each of the giveaway posts. But at this point I reserve the right to have some minor delays in getting prizes out to the winners... My due date may be July 24th, but as with most kids who knows how this will all play out? Stay tuned!